Vehicle body



Sheets-Sheet 1 l. Ilill ||||vl 1| AY INVENTOR ad! feftaf/ M TORNEY CONSTRUCTION c. T. HANSEN LE BODY VEHI- June 19, 2928.

June I9, 1928.

c. T, HANSEN 'VEHICLE BODY CONSTRUCTION 9,*1924 7 Sheets-Shegt 2 Filgggt.

June 19, 1928.

C. T. HANSEN vEHCLE BODY coNsTfuGTl-JN Filed Oct. f`. 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 19, 1928.

C. T. HANSEN VEHICLE Hom' CQNSTHUCTION Sheetsheet 4 Filed Oct, 9, 1924 June 19, 1928.

C. T. HANSEN VEHICLE BODYv CONSTRUCTION 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Filed Oct. 9, 1924 June 19, 1928.

C. T. HANSEN VEHICLE BODY CUNSTKUGTION '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 0, 1924 INVENTOR m4 f a 1 7 ATTORNEY C T HANSEN VEHICLE BODY CONSTRUCTICN Filed Oct. 9, 1924 ATTONEY M 7 3 n m A m m l, n L wf e 7 /WM June 19, 1928.

Patented June 19, 1928.

UNiTi-:o STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CONRAD T. HANSEN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN MOTOR DELAWARE.

VEHICLE BODY CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed October 9, 1924.

This invention relates to vehicle bodies, and more particularly rela-tes to a closed body toj automobile passenger buses adapted to be mounted on the chassis of an automobile.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide-a vehicle bo'dy in which compara-- tivelv small sections ol' panelin f may be readily and easily replaced individually, so that when it is desired to repair a portion of the pancling, due to injury thereof, or for any other reason, this may be accomplished readily and easily without requiring substantially the entire paneling to be removed, as has heretofore been necessary; and to provide improved means t'or securing such sepa.- rate and individual panel plates to the body in such a way that cach plate may readily, easily, and very quickly be removed from or attached to the body by'persons who are noticquiied to be skilled workmen.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vehicle body having windows equipped with improved means for retaining the window panes in place in such a way that each pane may readily, easily, and very qulckly be replaced by unskilled persons.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved design of metallic body post. which is not only extremely strong and durable, and very light in weight, but also serves as a portion of the panel retaining means and the window glass retaining means above referred to, thereby eliminating additional parts which would increase the weight of the body and complicate the construction.

Another object. ot' my invention to providc body posts having their top ends so dcsigned that a root' rail may be readily, easily and quickly secured thereto so as to be tirnily and rigidly supported thereby. and. permitting the roof rail to be quickly detached from the post, all without requiring skilled labor.

Another objecty ot my invention is to provide an improved sill construction for vehicle bodies, whereby increased strength and resistance to vibration and shock is obtained, and at thc same time the construction is lightcncd. und. affording sturdy support for thc bod)Y posts and pancling.

nother object of my invention is to provide an improved vehicle body platform construction which serves to distribute evenly Serial No. 742.500.

throughout the entire body vibrations and strains from the chassis of the vehicle, and which also serves to take up and distribute evenly to the chassis all load strains applied to the body, thus preventing the localization of all vibrations and strains and causing the body and chassis to act as units in resisting vibrations and strains due to travel and load; and to provide a platform which has-elasticit so as to be less likely to break under sud en shocks or strains and to better withstand continued hard usage.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved means for securiii r u holster pads on the inside of the vehic e or quie and easy detachment and replacement, and without requiring thc use of tacks 0r nails.

A further object ot' my invention is to provide an improved hinge pillar construction which permits of a panel plate ge to be quickly and easily attached ther to and detached therefrom without requiring the hinge mountin to be disturbed.

A further object of my inventioiiis to provide means for preventing metalLto-metal contact between adjacent portions of the inetallic parts of the body to prevent noise and rattle when the body weaves and vibrates.

A further object of my invention is to provide a closed passenger bus body which is exceptionally well suited to withstand for a long period of time the hard usa e customarily given to passenger automo ile buses, the body, at the same time, heilig light in Weight, attractive in appearance, and accommodating comfortably a reasonable number ot passengers, besides the driver; and a bus body comprising relatively few parts, and capable of being manufactured comparatively quickly and inexpensively, with a minimum retpiircment of skilled labor.

Other objects of my invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

My invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, arrangements of parts. and combinations of elements` which will be described more fully hereinafter, and

the scope of the application of which will be pointed out in the claims that follow.

ln order that a clearer understanding of my invention may be had, attention is hereby directed to the aeeoinpanying drawings, fornftngii part of this application, and illustrating eertain possible embodiments of the invention.

Referring to the. drawings:

Figi.. l i a top elevation of a bu: body embodying my invention, eertain portions being broken away and certain piti-ts being :Known in dotted linen7 to inoie clearly show the eonstriietion;

Fig. is a similar view showing the bus body in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is :i similar view showing the bus body in front elevation;

Fig. l is a einiilar view showing the bus body in rear elevation;

Fig. 5 if, a Sectional view, taken on the line -Fi of Fig. 2;

Figs. tl and 'l are eaeh a Sectional view, and are talt'eii z'eepeetirely on the lines ti-G and "im-T ot Fig. 5;

Pg. S i5 a sectional view7 tal'en on the line S et" Fig. L);

fige. t5 and ltl are earli a sectional view. and are taltei. respectively on the linee` l ti and n l-ltl nl Fig. 8:

Fig; ll. a perispiative view ofn side poitior ot' the ouhv body. and of a panel plate letai'lied therefi'oin;

l `ie;:-;. li and l are eaeli a aertional view, iertively on the line4 l2 l2 l., tl is a etional views taken on the ri iff lint l1 u if; if if-f onal iiew` and is taken on .ttl i a plan view, showing the inanner in whien the top of the rear body post is att ing-lied to a roof rail. only a fragment of the root' rail and post beingy hoivn;

Fig. l? is: zi iop View of the post.I showing the loeation of the roof rail in dot and dash lines;

Fig. io ie a plan View, showing` the nianner of liteit-hing; the top ot a side post to the roof rail. onli,v a .fragment of the post and rail i "if shown;

i" 1, lt? ia a top view of a eide hotly post, Showing: lrag'nient ol a root' rail in dot and dasli linee; and

Fig'. 2t) a hiolien vei'tiial sectional View through the eide of the body, showing a .inoditied torni oi' ennntrinztion auitable fon ntionary windows.

finiilar rel'erenee eliaraeteiz` refer to ini ilnr parts thrtaighont the several views oi'; the drawings. l

Referring; to the diawiiigs, there is a sill extending alonei both sides and aero.` the rear of the body. The hill la .7l-'shaped in vroeg-neetion ind may oe niade in one pieee or .in several pieces rigidly .weui'ed together .into a substantially integral unit. its. how n in the drawings, the Sill nnit ifoniirineo a trent sido portion l at, earh ide of t ie body.

extending from each retti` wheel kiek-up 2 to the dash member 3, and is Z-shaped in erossseetion. having a horizontal portion 4, an upwardly directed flange 5 extending alongr the inner edge of the horizontal portion and a downwardly directed flange o' extending along the outer edge ot the horizontal portion. (lui-ving over eaeli kiek-up portion :l therev is a sill portion 7, which is abo [shaped in cross-Section, and forms a rontinuation of eaeh sill portion l. Sill portions 7 eaeh have a horizontal portion 8, an inner upwardly directed Harige 9 and an outer downwardly directed flange lt). The adjarent ends of these sill portions overlap eaeli otlie and are bolted7 riveted, or welded together. as at 1l. to seein-e 'a rigid connection. A gusset plate l2 niay also he riveted or welded to sill portions l and 7 to reentoree and `rengthen the connection. The rear sill portion l?) of the Sill eonstruetion entende across the rear of' the bodyv and eurve l forwardly at the sides to ineet the sill portiona T, the ends of which it overlaps and to which it may he rigidly seeiired.t as hy welding. bollino'. or riveting, an ai it. and a gnam-t plate lo inay also be eerired. to these parts to .atrengthen and reenl'oiee the con notion. Sill portion lll is lilewie Z-diaped in rro ;;ei'iion and forni,- a wontiniiation of the ill portions Portion lll han :i horzontal ilanigje lt. an inner. iipwardlr ill-- rei-ted lange l?, and an outer downi'fardly' direeted liant-s`- 13.

At earli hielt-up portion there is a suitably eurred and eontouredsheet inetal nieniber it). sentirei-d along4 its outer edge 2t) to the. under-eide ol' portion 8 of ineniber 7. and havingv an inwardly direeted horizontal flange 2l aloner its inner edge. Another suitably contoured Sheet inetal nieniber "22 resta :doni:T its oiiter odge ou this flange El. and is wettred thereto, as by welding. preferably having i sell a vertiial llanne 22E whieli lies agaiint and welded to the nxenilai' lil. Along the inner (and lower) ihre ot nient-- hei' is a horizontal ilaiige 21.

Theriaie ii plurality ot eio .-.-pieeeb` f5, which extend between and are set-tired to the Sill nienihers l, and other crows-pieren extend between and are secured to the hielt-up ineinbers All these eronvpieeee are eliannelehaped in ei'oaa-sieriion with the channel opening downwardly, and havin;r horizontal flanges. 2.7 along the edgefv: of each ide. wall of the eliannel directed ont- \vaidly therelron'i. llaeh end of eaeli erwe- \pieee also hanr laterally extending vertical flanges or ears QS. Each end of erosfniieeefi 25 han` the hottoni of the Channel disposed against the iiiiilei-sitle of sill portion 4 and is welded or riveted thereto, as at 29, and has the earn 3S disposed against, the sill flange (L and welded or riveted thereto, as at 3o. llneh cross-piece fhas its flanges 27 reat lill ith

titl

ing on and serured to flange 24. as at ll, and has its ezlrs: S disposed against and seein-ed, as at 32, to a vertical portion Il?) of member 2li?. i

'The side bod)Y por-ts il rest on the sill portions at the plares where the rrossvpieees :2o are seeured thereto. These posts are ehannel-sha])ed in eross-seetion. with the Channel 85 open toward the outside ol thtl body. and having along' the bottom of the ehannel :i rertzinggular enlarged portion lt'. rl`he outer ends ot the side walls 21T otl the channel are flanged laterali)v at their ends as at 18. below the window openings in thi.l body. 'lhese posts rest upon the sill portions und artI serured in plare bi' means ot braeltets llt, [Cat-h l=rarlet has an upwardl)v e\te.'u'lin; j channel portion Vit?. wliieh seats within the lower portion ot thv post. and is seeur'ud to thv haelt and side walls ol' the post by welding' or riveting'. as at 4l. The upwardly dirertett flanges or Si ot thil `sill portions; l or 'i' abut the rear ol' the posts. and nre prefembly serured to the posts by rivets A11.. wliieh also engage the vertieztl portion l0 ol' the tnarlt'ets lift. Iarh braeltet lil hns kn nrm 453, whit-h rests upon n erosspiere. such as f5. and is ser-tired thereto by weithin;r or h r rivets il. .zuh lnatltet 3i) also has horizontal arms -l." whirli extend in opposite direi-tions and rest upon the horizontal portions t or S ot the sill portions 1 and T` to lwhieh these arms lo are sernred by welding or riveting. as ut Vlti t the door openings the brzxrlt'ets ll are minos theI arm whit-li would extend into the doorway. ,\t tbe sill portion h' these lirario'its are minus the inwardly dirwted arms' Aiii. :mit if surll a bran-tw( s used 'for the rear post, this 1s also ntinfnf the :ilni tl.

'llie ross-pines i und 2t? :ire adapted to pnt Upon the nsnnl yair ot' spared loxufitudi4 nal trame nwinbeis li' of an autfunohile ehasss. .filler pitre 481mm' be inserted in lite hrinuel ol' the ross-}ief;" whew thet' resi t@ l'ransm and tlzs i'illzr piero wat in; lifetihi. :is .fit Yifi". to onf-i1 ros-spitre, The attarlnnenl to tln` members may t'llt tlltrlir' travis trane be mot-io la means ol' bolts .30. vfhirii extend through the ifi'wsfypiwes and the tiller pielis :ind infant' the r'hassis trame members. lit' desired. suitable pris-sionmay be provided in the rross-pieeun for the holt ilnads. Th1- endsotshei-i hns-s traine nunnwif. nud

linnn' the this` watv shoi'li :dsorhiiiff rondru'tion is oir tained. The both olntforin ronstrurteil and mounted in ilu` nnnner functions to distribute f-rinli' throiztrlnvnt tinl entire hotly vilnationsl :ind strains from the rimvssis. l also furntions to talte np and to 4dtriluite esenti' to thf tfh.i,-si-. all load st mins applied to the body, The assrniil" isv such that #traina is prelocalization ot rilnanions am vented. and the hod)v and the ehassis art :is integral units in resisting vibrations and .strains duo to travel and load.

The lower panelin;r of the body at the .sides intlu'les a pluralit)v ot sepnrate panel plates 52 ot' substantially rettaugular form. The hottom edge ol' eat-h panel plate is pro- \ided with an interior npwnrdlv open channel ."il. whieh is disposable about the lower edge ol' the sill portions t and lll. llaeh side edge of the panel plates has an inwardlyv extending llange oil" which ,seats in the ehannel 'f of the ad'iarent bod): post7 so that the flanges 8H of the post will rest. along the inside of the panel edge. The side edges of each panel. plate are dtftnf'habl)v secured to the adjaeent post by means` of retaining members. comprisingl strips of metal 54, preferably in the form olA :i molding. aeh strip .74. enrloses the heads 55 ot' :t pluralityY ot' bolts 5ft, whieh are disposable into the Channel 35 of a post and have threaded ends ending within the enlarged portion :iti there ot. H V plat-ing a washer .3T on the bolt in post portion Bti and by threadingY a nut 58 on the bolt. n retaining strip ."i-t ma)v he removably sernred to the post. so that it will overlap the edges ot' the two adiaetnt panel plates 52 and bind them against the post. The inner Vall of each post is rut away. as at 59, at suitable places to permit read) and easy access to the nuts 58. for the attaehmentr and detaclnnent of the retaining stripsund panel plates. The np'per edge of e eh panel plate adapted to be removably seat ed behind a panel portion (it). the lower end of which has a moldingl portion (Sl. This portion is secured to the body by means of bolts: 62, which areheld in a strip (S3 secured within the moldingr 61 in any .suitable non ner. The bolts 62 engage a plnte (-l. which extends between and is secured to two body posts, as at 65. Preferably members ft) and (S4 have superimposed horizontal flanges titi and G7 :donnr their top edges. and the end ot' upper flange (SG may be doubled mer tho end ot' Hanne (1T. as at on, 'lhe upper panel plate edge is preferably prftn'ided with dow`- tnil recesses (Si)` which rereire the shanlts of the bolts n2 to permit substantial overlappiingy ot' the upper edge ot the panel plate by the molding portion (il.

From the inside of one post to the inside of the next pont at snbntantiall)v the height ot the moldingy portion (il is secured u moinitie plate Tt?, whit'h .hannel-shaped along its top edge. A wooden strip 'Tl may he seated in this ehannel. The lside endsy ot plate 7() ma)v boseffnred to the posts hy maehine srre or other means. An inside window ruil 172 is prel'ernbly dispose-'tl on the top ot' eaeh plate it) and is renmrahly secured in plat-e h5' ineann of serews T3. which en gane the wooden strips T1. MembersI 72 :ire formed with an outwzn'dl)v diret-ted lll shoulder portion 72", which is adapted to overlap the top cdgc of an upholstery pad 74. Each upholstery pad extends between two adjacent posts and is secured in place along its side edges by vertical retaining strips 75, 'whirh are adapted to be secured to each post by niarhinc screws 76. Each member i5 is provided with two oppositely extending shoulder portions 77. which overlap the side edgrs of thol adjacent. upholstery pads 7l. Thus. it will be apparent. that. thc upholstery pads are readily removable morely by removiiw one or both ot' its side retaining strips i5. The lower edges of the pads 74 rest between the scat rail 201 and (flips 202 secured to its rear, which form therewith a retaining channel. therefor.

Above this portion of the construction each post is adapted to have telcscoped over its rhannel Walls 37 a con'iplementarywindow glass retaining member 7S, whicl cliannchshapcd in cross-sention. with the rhannel opening toward the. inside of the body.' The emits 79 of this member are adapted to rome aaifiniistl the post channel walls il? and to ha' sofuied thereto by rap halts FO. perniitting these parts to be readily and easily attarhed together and separated. Member TF has an (,nlarged rectangular portion Si' toward the outside oi the body, whirl: presents shoulder portions 872. com stitnting :Mutua-nis i'or the outside ot' Windony panes tl?) at ria-'uh side oi the post. The enlarged portion Sli ot thc post. presents abutment shoulders i for the inside ot the window panes Sii. lre'erably a rhannelshaped telt runway strip is provided :for the window glass in cach window eliannel vstanlislnid hv the shoulders S2 and lror rccnforcentout. filler pieces Sli may lio proidrd llt-tween the rhannel waits tti. and those lilh-r pir-ros may lic swnred in place by means it riwts Si'.

,\i important' iiratnrf.x ot' this invention is tin; tai t that the :die fr n indmv plaeennfnt ronstrnrtifni permit` tin :ir-minuit'. ot window slips troni the ont nl the body. "llo roplare a window. it is imvci'ed into its woll; l'rlt runways r for its side edges are rcn moved: tln` .sercws .Qll are loosened. and the retaining strips at nal-h side of the ivimlovv are removed troni the posts. The window panrunix' non: he raised. and is troc to lie removed Vl'ronl tho liodv in an outward di rectum, t new pane is nor: easily replared .n *ln* fdl rl'l z rrtfiininif memberA 'i9 are i adiarent post and are sed tlwrrio by means ot' the bolts 950. 'i 't-attor it is only incessary to rcplare the trlt r.n-.\\'.a`\\r e5. and the rmx'llarcment is (innpirlo.

finothrr important vfriert ot" my invention e to prorido n ruw tor adjusting each rea ning strip kl relatively to its pmt to per i T mit widening or narrowing el the glass channel to accommodate dierent thicknesses of glass. This is accomplished in the followmg manner. I provide in the Walls 37 of each post a series ot' holes 88, which are 1n a substantially' vertical line, and I protilde in thc walls 7 9 of each retaining strip 7S a series ot holes 89. which are in horizontal alignment respectively with the holes 88 in thc posts, but which are out ot vertical alignment therewith, being staggered in re spect thereto. These holes are adapted to receive the screws 80, and by aligning di'erent sets ot holes in the retaining members and the posts, these members may be secured together in dilerent relative positions, hi-ch give wider or narrower glass channels. I

At the upper end of each side post the back wall is preferably extended vertically to provide a flange 9U, which is ada d to rest against the inside sui-'tace of a roo rail 91. to which it may be secured by sairews 92. The side walls of the posts aro preferably flanged lmrizontally at the top, as at 93, and these tianges 93 are arranged to rest against the lower surface of the roof rail, so that they may be secured thereto by bolts 94, which extend through the langes and the rail. i

.At the rear of the body the post 95 may ne ot eliannQLshape, w'th a channelsshaped strip JG secured within the post to roenforce the same. This post at. its top may also have a vertical flange 97 adapted to rest against and be secured to the inside surface ot' a roof rail. and may have horizontal flanges 98, which rest against the iunior-side ot the root rail and may be bolted thereto.

At the doorway the hinge post itl() may be channel-shaped in crosssertion. with channel opening toward the outside the body. and may have a .straight wall 10i at the doorway. to the inside of which may be scents-d. as by arrows lili?. a :strip itll. to whirh the hinges 104 ot they door tilt may be attarheil. rcontorcing rlmnnel strip vltltl may be scoured between the .side walls of the post. The side edge flange 107 ot thth panel plate 52 at this hinge post may be removably disposed between the post wall lill. and the strip ltlfl. and this ilange 107 may be re1novably stafn'rud to the u: ll lt'l by means of serons 30S. This t'iange lil? is preferablycnt away at the hingV` itl-fl, so that this panel plate may be attached to and removed tron'. the hinge post by merely adjusting the screws 10S and without requiring the door or the hinges to he disturbed.

At the rear ot the body l preferably prorido stationary windows. At tho top, bottoni and the edge toward the side of the body of each Window l attach a. metallic strip llt). which forms an abutment shoulfer lli for the outsider ot the window at these edges. Over the. post 95, which is in IUD llO

ber

termediate these windows, I place a metallic member 112, which at each side of the post has abutment shoulders 113 for the outside of thc windows at the edges adjacent the post. Member 112 may be secured to the post95 by spotwelding. On the inside of the body at the window edges I secure window retaining strips 115, which may be secured in place by means of .screws 116, which extend through the members 110 or the walls of the post 95, and engage suitably located wooden strips 117. yMembers 115 are preferabl provided with shoulders 118, winch are a apted to overlap upholstery ads 119, and whereby these pads are detac iably secured to the body. The rear windows are designated 120, and, as will be readily apparent, are firmly retained in the channels formed by Athe cooperation of members 115`with the members 110 and the member 112.

To reenforce the rear portion of the body, a horizontal channel member 122 is preferabl extended thereacross, and is secured at eaci end to the rear side posts of the body by means of vertical flan es 123 formed on the member 122 and we ded or bolted to these posts, as'at 124.

Suitable paneling may be secured across the rear of the body in any suitable manner. For instance, a lower panel portion 125 may be provided. which has an upwardly directed channel 126 alongr its lower edge, which hooks about the lower edge of the sill portion 18. The construction at this point is the same as is carried out on the sides, that is, the lower panels 125 and 137 are notched and flat alon the top edge and are placed underneath tie lower part of the upper panels '128 and 135, each of which has` a molding, 127 and 141, stamped in saine to which is welded a solid molding (33 and bolts 62 for assembling:y to the channel member 122. The upper edge ot' panel 128 may be bent inwardly. as at 129, and then downwardly. as at 130, hooking over the shoulder 111 of the member 110. Across the upper portion of the windows there may be extended a panel portion 131, which may be secured along its upper edgeJ to the root' rail 91, as by means of nails 132, and which along its lower cdgremay be bent inwardly, as at 133, and then inwardly. as at 134. hookingj over the shoulder iorton 111 of the upper member 110. At t e rear corners 0f the body suitably curved panel members 135 may be provided. The lower portion 137 of this rear corner panel may be secured at the rear ot' the body to a post 138, which extends from the sill portion 16 to the lower side of a crossniember 122. where the post 138 may have horizontal flanges 139, which are welded or bolted to the mc1n Vertical molding strips 14() may be applied on the outside of the body at each 0f these posts 133. The molding strips may windows, the construction ma as shown 1n the lower part o F 1g. 20. As

be continued from the sides of the body around thc rear corners thereof, as at 141, where the may be secured in place by means of suitabe bolts attached to the molding portion 141 and which engage the cross member 122.

kIn order to prevent noise and rattle, metallic portions of the construction are prevented from coming into metal-to-metal contact with adjacent metallic parts by means of fibrous or other non-metallic material interposed between the two adjacent metallic parts. This may be employed wherever convenient and desirable. tween the lower edges of the panel lates 52, where they abut the downwardly i nected sill flange 6 or 1t), as shown in Figs. 5 and 13, thin t'elt 150 is shown between these parts, and is preferably pasted to the inner surface of the panel late. It is not deemed necessary or desir-ab e to illustrate the a plication of the felt at other places in t e construction, as it might detract from the clearness of the other structural features as shown in the drawings.

If it rsdesired to have stationary windows in the sides of the bus instead of movable be modified shown in that view of the drawings, an interior panelv plate 151 extends between the two adjacent posts, to which it may be se cured by the interior retaining strips or by means of machine screws. The upper edge of this panel has a horizontal flange 152 and a downwardly extending flange 153 and encloses a wooden strip 154. The window rail 155 may be secured to strip 154 by means of screws 156, and together with the shoulder formed by flange 153 forms an interior abutment for the window glass 120. The bottom edge of the window is support- For instance, be-

ed on a horizontal flange 157 of an angle strip 158, to the other flange of which is bolted, as at 159, the flange of another strip 160, which has a rabbet 161, in which is seated a wooden strip 162, which constitutes any abutment against the outside of the window glass. Strip 160 has a horizontal flange 163, which rests underneath and is secured to the superimposed horizontal flanges 66 and 67 of the members 60 and 64. At the top of the window the construction may be similar to the construction where movable windows are employed. For instance, over the top of each window there is a panel portion 164 extending between two adjacent posts. Member 164 is of channel-shape in cross-section, with the ends of the side walls of the channel overla ping the inside and outside surfaces of t e roof rail 91, where these porn tions of the member 164'may be secured by means of nails 165. A downwardly opening channel portion 166 is formed along the bottom wall of the member 164. This channel 166 is adapted to receive the top edge of the window pane 83 or 120. Preferably a Wooden strip 167 and a channel telt 168 are located in the channel 166. As before stated. this window header construction is the same for both stationary Windows and movable Windows.

Floor boards 200 may suitably be supported on the lateral flanges 27 ot' the crosspieces. If desired or found necessary. a seat rail 201 may be secured to each of the side osts on the inside of the body. Also suitable vertical guide strips 203 may be secured to the posts to guide the window glass 83 when moving in. its Well.

The conventional structures are usually Weak where the dash 3 is mounted on the ends of the sill portions 1. To overcome this Weakness, I secure an angle `iron 204 to the dash 3 at eachside edge and to the adjacent horizontal sill flange 4, as by means of bolts 205.

It is believed that all features of the con.- struction for which I desire patent protection will be clearly understood from the foregoing description, and that the method of assembling the parts and making replace ments of replaceable parts has been so brought out and so described and illustrated ,as to be readily and clearly understood.

As many changes could be iliade in the above construction, and as many apparently widely different embodiments of this iuvenv tion could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretated as illustrative and not in. a limiting sense.

1. In vehicle body construction, in com bination, a sheet metal post having a channel open outwardly of the body and a lateral flange, spaced transverse reenforcements in said channel, a sheet metal body panel applied against the outside of said lateral ange and having an edge flange seated in said post channel, said panel edge flange having cut away portions to accommodate said reenforcements, and means for removably confining said panel flange in said channel.

2. In vehicle body construction of the character described, in combination. a body post having an outwardly open recess and a lateral flange. a body panel applied against the outside of said lateral flange and having an edge flange seated in said post recess. and means for detaehably securingsaid panel flange in said post recess, said means including a retaining member overlappingI said panel along said lateral post tlangl'e;

anda securing member connected to said rx taining member and removably secured to said post.

3. In vehicle bodyA construction of the character described, in combination, a body post having an outwardly open recess and a lateral flange, a body panel applied against the outside of said lateral flange and having an edge flange seated in said post rec s* and means tor detachably securing A1d panel to said post, said lueans including a strip overlapping said panel along said lateral flange of the post, and bolts secured to said strip and removably secured to said post.

4. 1n vehicle body construction of' the character described, in combination, a body post of channel shape in ciosssection. with the channel open toward the outside of the body, and formed with an enlarged portion along the bottom of the channel of rectangular, box-like shape in cross-section, a panel plate having a side edge at the, outer side ol' said post, and a member removably secured in the channel of said post and removably overlappingr said panel plate, for detachably binding said panel plate to said post, said panel having an edge flange seated in the channel of said post.

5. ln vehicle body construction of the character descriliicd, m combination, a bod post if channel shape in cri;=ssaecti011, Witi the tiannel open toward the outside ot the body and formed with an enlarged portion along the bottom of the channel of rectangular, boxlike shape in cross-section, a panel plate having a side edge at the dater side of said ost, and a member removaby secured in the ciannel of said post and removably overlapping said panel plate, for detaehably binding said panel plate to said post, said panel having' an edge flange seated in the channel of said post, and an edge of a side wall of said channel being flanged laterally and seated behind said panel plate.

(l. .In vehicle body construction of the character described, in combination, a body post of channel shape in cross-section, Wit the channel open toward the outside of the body. and formed with an enlarged portion along the bottom of the channel ot' rectangular, box-like shape in cross-se ion, a panel plate having aside edge flange seated in said post channel. a retaining strip removably overlapping said panel plate and said post. bolts secured to said strip and re niovably seated in said channel and endingr in said box-like portion, and adjustable means engaging said bolts and said post within said box-like portion thereof', for detachably securing said strip and panel plate1 to said post.

T. ln vehicle body construction of the character described. in combination. a body post. of channel shape in crosssection, with the channel open toward the outside of the body. and formed with an enlarged portion alomv the bottom of the channel of rectangli Ilo

" the horizontal tom of said channel providing access to said i adjustable means for adjustment thereof to effect the attachment or. detachment. of said panel plate to or from the body.

' 8. In vehicle body construction, a metallic sill of Z-shape in cross section, havin" a central horizontal portion, an upwar ly extending flange aloixg the inner edge of the horizontal portion and a downwardly extending flange along the outer edge of said horizontal portion. across member applied against and secured to the under surface of the `horizontal sill portion, a post resting on lport-ion of -the sill, and a4 reinforcing brac et member having a horizontal portion ext-ending through the inner sill flange and ,abuttingpand secured to the horizontal silliange and the cross member from above, and4 havingan upwardly'extending portion abutting and'secured to the post.

9. ln vehicle body construction of the. character described, in combina-tion, metallic sidesills of Z-shape in cross-section, each having a central horizontal iortion, an upwardly extending flange a ong the inner edge of the horizontal portion and a downwardly extending flange along the outer edge of said horizontal portion, sheet metal cross pieces extending across the body and secured to the sills at earch side of the body, pillar reenforcements penetratingr the inner edge flange of the sill, each overlying and se cured to a horizontal sill flange and a cross.

ieee. and chassis frame members supporting said cross pieces intermediate their nds.

10. In vehicle bod construction o the character described. in combination, x lstallic side sills of Z-shape in cross-seition, each having a central horizontal portion, a'n upwardly extending flange along the inner i edge of the horizontal portion and a down wardly extending flange along the outer edge of said horizontal portion, sheet metal cross pieces extending .across the body and secured to the sills at each side of the body, and forming therewith an integral body platform which absorbs, -resists and distributes as a unit strains and vibrations applied locally to any part there-0f, chassis frame members supporting said cross pieces intermediate their ends, said cross pieces havingr lateral flanges at their ends abuttnw and cured to the downwardly directed fiilnges o't' said sills, body posts supported on and secured to said sills, post. reenforciner brackets extending through the inner edge dange of a. sill and overlying and secured to a horizontal sill flange and a cross piece, and having an upright portion abutting and secured to' a post, and panel plates secured to said posts and covering the outside of the downwardly extending sill flanges.

11. In vehicle body construction of the character described,.in combination, a door, a door post of channel shape in cross-section with the channel open toward the outside of the body, a panel plate having an inwardly directed side edge flange seated against and detaehably secured to the interior side of post wall adjacent the door, and a hinge strip secured to the interior side of said channel Wall, said panel plate flange being removably seated betweena portion of said strip and said channel Wall.

l2. In vehicle body construction of the character described, in combination, a door, a door post of channel shape in cross-section with the channel open toward thel outside of the body, a anel plate having an inwardly directed site edge flange seated against and detachably secured to the interior side ot' post wall adjacent the door, a hinge strip secured to the interior side of said channel wall, said panel plate flange beingv removably seated bctweena. portion of said strip and said channel wall, door hinges secured to said hinge strip, and'said panel plate having' cut away portions at said hinges perniitting said7 anel plate to be attached to and removed rom said post wit-hout detaching said hinges or hinge plate therefrom.

13. In a vehicle vbod construction, in combination, body 'posts cliannel sha e in crosssection. the side Walls of said b'o y posts being spaced some distance apart and opening toward'the outside of thebody, body panels having 'inturncd side fianges extending within the open side of said body,the sidewalls oi said body posts being so spaced as to ermit considerable lateral adjustment of sai body panels to provide for variations in width thereof, vertical strips covering tha, space between and overlapping adjacent'. body panels, and means interior of the ,posts securing the strips and body panels thereto.

14. In a vehicle body construction, i'n combination, body posts channels shape in cross section with the channel open toward the outside of the body, a sill member supllhl porting said body posts and having a downwardly extending exterior-flange, replaceable body panels having inturned side flanges extending Within the open side of said body posts, the side walls i.\l"$aidj body posts being so spaced as to permit consii'lerable lateral adjustment of said body panels to provide for variations in width thereof, means extending within said body posts securing said body panels thereto, said body panels -the outer side of the body posts, said panels having their upper edges removably seated behind said molding strips so as to permit vertical adjustment and provide torvariations in length of said body panels..

15. In vehicle body construction, in combination, a channel posty open toward the outside of the body' and having lateral flanges projecting therefrom, replaceable bodyv panels applied against the outside oi said lateral flanges, the side Walls of said channel post bein(r so spaced as to permit considerable lateral adjustment of said body panels and to accommodate panels of varying widths, vertical strips overlapping the edges ornidjacent body. panels, and adjustable means Within the post for removably securing the strips and panels in position.

16. ln a vehicle body construction, in combination channel posts open toward the outsideof the body, replaceable'body panels applied against the outside of said lateral flanges andjhaving edge flanges seated in the Hchannels of the posts, the side walls o',

said channelfposts being so spaced to permit cousideiiable.v lateral adjustment of said body panels'gto accommodate. panels of differont widths, :l horizontal molding strip behind which the upper edges of said panels are removably seated, and means securing said strip to the lateral flanges of the posts,

said panels having spaced notches along their upper edges to accommodate said securing means, thus permitting vertical adjustment of said panels and the. use of replacing panels of different lengths.

17. lu vehicle body construction, a body post having an outwardly open recess and lateral flanges, a body panel applied against the outside of one of said flanges and baving an edge flange seated in said post recess. a strip overlapping a side edge vofsaid panel and covering said recess, .l and concealed means. adjustable within the post, holding said strip in position and removably confining said panel flange in said recess.

18. In a vehicle body construction of the character described, in combination, a body post o channel shape in cross-sectioniwith the chafnnel open toward the outside of the body, a panel plate having a side edge Harige seated in said post channel, a moulding removably overlapping said panel plate and said post, means concealed within said channel post for dctachablyjsecuring said moulding and panel in position, spaced apertures on thbottom oflsaid channel post to permit ready access to said securing means to effect the attachment or detachment of said panel plate to or from the body, a retaining strip, and means retaining said strip against the under surface of the horizontal sill-portions,

and bracket members having inwardly proy jecting arms secured to the top ot said cross pieces, laterally projecting arms secured to the horizontal portions of said sills and upwardly extending channel portions inserted within and secured to the body posts.

20. In a vehicle body construction, a metallic sill havin f a central horizontal portion, an upwar ly extending Hangs along the inner edge of the horizontal portion, a cross piece secured to the underside of the horizontal port-ion of the sill, and a bracket reen foi-sing member having an inwardly 'eX-m0 tendinglarm projecting thru an opening in lsaid flange and secured to the cross piece,

and laterally projecting arms extending along and secured to said sill.

2l. in a. vehicle body construction of the character described, -iu combination, body posts, metallic side sills 2-shaped in crosssection, each having a central horizontal portion, an upwardly extending flange along the inner edge of the horizontal portion constitoting an attaching medium jfor the body posts and giving load-carrying strength to the sills, and a downwardly ext-ending flange along the outer edge of said horizontal portion, sheet-metal cross pieces extending across the body and secured at each endto said downwardly extending flange, reenforcing` brackets having inwardly projecting arms penetrating the inner flange and laterally projecting arms each overlying and secured respectively to the cross pieces and the horizontal sill portions. Y,

ln a vehicle body construction, in combination, a body post, a sill member having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion,

and a bracket member secured to said horizontal portion and extending Within said body post, bracing said post from within, said vertical portion extending Without said body post, bracing said post from Without, and means securing said bracket, -body post and vertical portion together.

23. ln vehicle body construction of the character described, in combination, body posts, a plurality of removable body pads, a horizontal seat 'rail secured to the body posts and having a clip member secured to its rear forming therewith a retainingchannel adapted to removably receive the lower edge ot said body pads and hold the saine in llO position, :md vertical retaining strips over-y lapping the adjacent edges of said body pads domulmbl'y sonni-ing said pads to smidv posts.

In a which body Construction. in com bnntion. body posts, body pads and :L horizontal sont rail of subalnntnily anglo-iron form having: :1 groovoformed in its cxtmior vornor, n Swing-plate, secured to the rear of said angle-iron and forming with the Corner groove therein u Channel cavity, Said seat N rail and spring plate. being secured to the inner Side of said body posts, said channel cavity dctachnbly retaining the llower odg@ of Said bod;v pads in posihou.

This specification signed this 20H1 day 0f 15 September, 1924.

CONRAD T. HANSEN. 

